homepage

A homepage is the main page of a website. It serves as the initial point of entry and often functions as a hub that directs visitors to the site's primary sections.

Typical elements include branding (logo and tagline), a navigation menu, a hero or introductory area, links to key content, a search box, and a footer with contact information or legal notices.

Homepages can be static HTML files or dynamically generated by content management systems. In many setups the homepage file is named index.html (or index.php, index.asp, etc.) and resides at the domain root, but servers can be configured to serve different files.

Design considerations include clear hierarchy, responsive layout, accessibility, fast loading, and search engine optimization. The homepage should convey the site's purpose and guide users toward desired actions.

Origin and usage: The term "homepage" emerged in the early days of the web to describe the main page of a site, distinct from the browser's own home page. Today it is widely used to refer to the site's front page, though some sites use a separate landing page for campaigns or a flexible front page that changes based on context.